Carnivores

From: Adelmo@aol.com
Date: Mon Sep 15 1997 - 20:59:45 PDT


Date: Mon, 15 Sep 1997 23:59:45 -0400 (EDT)
From: Adelmo@aol.com
To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com
Message-Id: <aabcdefg3556$foo@default>
Subject: Carnivores

Hi all.

I am just starting to grow carnivores and am doing so in a two foot high
hexagonal tank, with distilled water and orchid bark on the bottom and
hanging flourescent bulbs above. I am growing an adelae, Cape sundew, 2
saracenias, a purpurea & a psittacina, a rosetted drosera, a venus flytrap,
 a nepenthes, a butterwurt, a bladderwurt, and a D.filiformis v. California
Sunset In addition to specific questions I will ask below, I would
appreciate any general advise a generous enthusiast wishes to give me. I
have read a few books and talked to a few people about growing the plants in
a terrarium and can, perhaps, provide some insight to others. However, my
sources of information have often proved contradictory and I need some solid
advise.

First of all, what is the best way to grow all of these together. I have
placed the Nepenthes on a rock, barely in the water, which I was told will
allow sufficient draining. Is this true? How often should I mist it (is 2-3
times with a spray bottle sufficient?) Should I mist any of the others?
 What about dormancy? I have placed the two saracenias deep in the water, is
this a good idea? Should any of the others be soaked? Is an inch of water
good for the rest? Do the Flytraps need less water?
I have been feeding my plants freeze-dried flies. Is this ok? Can I
over-feed them?

I was told by more than one person that they have effectively grown their
plants under cool-white bulbs, but others have told me that daylight bulbs,
with their 6500K, are better. Which are better? I am using 2 circuline
bulbs (32 & 22 watts). Are these sufficient? Do I really want my lamps from
6-8 inches above the plants? Which one of my plants needs a dormancy period?
 When must I start dormancy for the different plants and how many hours of
light should I give the plants then. Do I keep the non-dormant plants at
10-12 hours of light during the winter?

I am sorry to burden the more experienced growers with these elementary
questions. I only hope that they will provide some insight to those who need
one or more of these questions answered themselves. If this is the case,
anyone can E-mail me and I will forward some of the answers I receive.
 Thanks for all the help!

Avi



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